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Longwall Mining Overview and Process

Longwall mining involves isolating a large block of coal called a panel between 800 to 1,500 feet wide. Special equipment is used along the working face to mine the coal using a longwall mining machine that moves across the face. Hydraulic roof supports called chocks and shields advance as mining progresses to control subsidence from the cave-in of the overlying rock and material into the void left by coal removal. The mined coal is hauled along the face by a chain conveyor.

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739 views1 page

Longwall Mining Overview and Process

Longwall mining involves isolating a large block of coal called a panel between 800 to 1,500 feet wide. Special equipment is used along the working face to mine the coal using a longwall mining machine that moves across the face. Hydraulic roof supports called chocks and shields advance as mining progresses to control subsidence from the cave-in of the overlying rock and material into the void left by coal removal. The mined coal is hauled along the face by a chain conveyor.

Uploaded by

sandro0112
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Longwall mining in Western Pennsylvania

Active and closed mines


Bridgeville W A S H I N G T O N 79 Canonsburg Westland N 40 70 Shoemaker Vesta 19 Enlow Fork Balley Gateway 88 Washington Gastonville Maple 88 Creek Bentleyville Eighty-four HighHighQuality Quality 40 51 A L L E G H E N Y 19 51 Active Closed

Subsidence
Subsidence in which the overlying rock and other material falls into the void where coal has been removed results from longwall mining. As the longwall system advances, the mine roof caves in behind the steel shields.
Ground level

RAG: Cumberland Mine Emerald Mine Consol Bailey Mine Blacksville No. 1 Dilworth Eighty-Four Mine Enlow Fork Mine Humphrey No. 7 Vesta: Originally J&L Steel, then A.T. Massey Coal. Westland Maple Creek Mining, Inc. High Quality Mine Consol (WV) Blacksville #2 Shoemaker Duquesne Light Co. Warwick No. 3 Gateway Coal Co. Gateway

An under view
In longwall mining, a very large block or panel of coal is isolated by the development of entries and crosscuts. Special mining and roof support equipment is then set up along the working face. This working face can be anywhere from 800 to 1,500 feet wide. The coal is mined by a longwall mining machine that moves across the face. Mined coal is then hauled by a chain conveyor along the length of the face. The roof is supported by special hydraulic supports called chocks and shields that are advanced as the mining progresses.
Coal Mine floor

70

Waynesburg
G R E E N E Shoemaker Blacksville #1 Blacksville #2 Cumberland Emerald 79

Dilworth Masontown

Warwick Humphrey #7

Elevator/ventilation shaft (exhaust fan helps air flow)

Groun d level

Enlarged area
Steel shields to protect the miners from the loose rocks above and behind.

Machine operator

Shearer Conveyor belt


Panel of coal to be mined using the longwall technique. The area can range from 800 to 1,500 feet wide and up to 3 miles long. Pillars are in the mains development part of the mine. The coal is removed through those passages and good air/bad air is exchanged, also miners travel through those passages.

Raw coal Pillars of coal

Source: Consol

Min e

floo r

Steve Thomas/Post-Gazette

Return air

Intake air

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